Smart Tennis Ball

Team

Eric Mielke

Introduction

The Smart Tennis Ball system allows users to track the location of a lost ball. It incorporates ultra-wideband technology and an accurate trilateration algorithm in order to precisely track the location of a tennis or golf ball.

The UWB signals intersect in a triangular fashion and pinpoint the location of the ball using trilateration. The system then calculates the position of the ball and then sends this location to the user’s cell phone. This allows for less frustration for the user who needs to find their lost ball.

System Overview

System UML

Results

  • Distance calculated between each anchor and tag
  • Accuracy within 10cm
  • Max range of 70m outdoors
  • Variable range indoors
  • Position of ball seen on app
  • Ball position updates at 1Hz
Batterie holder thing
Readout of distance

Materials and Methods

  • DWM1000 UWB Transceivers
  • Raspberry Pi 3B+
  • Raspberry Pi Zero W
  • Tennis or Golf Ball
  • 3.7V Battery
  • Cell phone
Materials
Math diagrams

Conclusions

The final prototype has shown accuracy of tracking the ball within 10 centimeters up to a range of 70 meters away. The system has a greater range in an open area versus indoors because of interference from walls.

The device is small and battery-powered which is essential for its portable application. It can further be downsized in order to fit inside a golf ball if desired. Users can easily operate the system from the convenience of their cell phone. Ideally, this system makes tennis and golf smarter, not harder. A mediocre tennis player or golfer will save time, money, and frustration by using this system.

Special Thanks To

  • Donald Cripps
  • Jolynne Berrett